My liver biopsy story may be different than most. For one, it hurt like heck. Perhaps my experience was a little rough because of my late stage cirrhosis, and low platelets. You may be wondering which one is best. At the time, I knew that the doctor wanted a good look because my liver failed so suddenly. Today, doctors still do liver biopsies, but they also offer many different alternatives. If I had to do it all over again, I would ask for one of the alternatives.
Emergency Room Diagnosis
When I turned yellow and swelled up, they started with an X Ray at my doctor’s office. Later that same day, I had a CT Scan to see if my kidney was healthy enough for an MRI. After the MRI, they wanted to hospitalize me. It was a rough introduction into liver disease world.
Over the next 3 months, I had blood transfusions, paracentesis, an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and a needle type biopsy. It was a wild ride. The endoscopy and colonoscopy were to check for, and band, any varices. It was decided that a liver biopsy was needed to begin the next phase of treatment for viral Hepatitis C and being listed for a transplant.
My Liver Biopsy Story
The morning of the biopsy, my sis picked me up, and I hadn’t eaten since midnight. They got me back pretty quickly, and put me in a gown. Most of the time they use conscious sedation, but I honestly don’t remember a thing. I kind of remember my sis getting me in back home after it was over. My clothes were on, and I slept on the couch for a bit, apparently after eating popsicles.
Later, I woke up on the couch, and my whole body hurt. My friend Cheryl came home, and I was awake enough to ask her to take me to the pharmacy to get pain meds. She pulled up to the drive thru window, and when she hit the brakes, I face planted on her car dash.
It seemed like I was sicker than I looked. In fact, l was later told that after opening the car door, I leaned out and lost all of my stomach contents on the parking lot at Walgreens. We got me back home and to bed fast. I’m thankful that this is not a memory. but something I was told about later.
The next day was a haze of sipping 7UP with my diuretics, and groaning. I took a pain pill every time I could. By the 3rd day, I was up, and Cheryl started to usher me into a warm bath. Every step brought loud groans. That’s when she saw the bruises.
Bruising
My whole belly and abdomen, and even my back were bruised for almost a month. I went back to work, but couldn’t wait until night when I could just lay down with a pain pill.
The Results
The results were clear and really depressing: End stage cirrhosis with decompensation. It honesty felt like the end of my life. I’ve never written this story because of the emotional and physical pain I felt that week. Even after the endoscopy showed Grade 3 varices in my esophagus, and varices in my stomach, I held out hope that my liver was ok. The biopsy clearly delivered the news that I was at end stage liver disease, and it totally broke my heart. Yet, I pressed on, waiting for the FDA to approve drugs that might cure Hep C and save my life.
My Liver Biopsy Story had a Happy Ending
Today’s biopsies are still the gold standard. They now often thread through the femoral artery or do it by transjugular entry. A small portion of the liver is taken, sometimes in multiple spots. That allows the doctor to examine it closer and see how much of the liver is functioning, what parts are damaged, and other factors. This allows them to select a course, including giving a MELD score for liver transplant.
It’s been 10 years since my liver biopsy story took place, and it was so overwhelming. I had to face the truth, and begin to help my liver heal. Eventually everything that could go wrong did, including a liver tumor. Even liver cancer or HCC didn’t kill me. I went on to receive a liver transplant. My trust in my doctors and my compliance with all of their orders saved my life. However, I’m writing about less invasive options when you don’t want a biopsy.
Image via Mt Sinai
6 thoughts on “My Liver Biopsy Story”
Karen,
I always appreciate your updates and clear approach to liver health. Thank you!
Hello Dawn,
After all these years, I really appreciate little notes like this that keep me plugging away on the site. Thanks for being a faithful reader and follower. Happy Happy Holidays to you and yours, xoxoxoxoKaren
Karen ~ had to reply to your story. I am almost 20 years from my diagnosis, much easier than yours, I have autoimmune hepatitis. I was wide awake when they did my biopsy ~ they went in four different times. I cried because it was so painful ~ they gave me something afterward. I was in the hospital for four day, so they kept me pretty much drugged up. I have had two since. One when they removed my gall bladder, so I was out and then one a few years ago where I made them twilight me. I am very lucky to only have an occasional issue, take a minimal daily immune suppressant and medication for my bile ducts, which quit working after an incorrect medication change. I thank God everyday for the fact that I can live my life normally with my issues. I follow your story for sure appreciate all the good advise!!! God bless!!!
I appreciate you sharing your experience. First, congratulations on doing so well after over 20 years of diagnosis. To be able to get by on minimal medications is all of our dream. I suppose you are taking Ursodial and an immune suppressant like mycophenalate or prograf. It sounds like our life is not that different. I do find my self eating healthy to avoid bile duct issues.
Your story will resonate with others, and that is why story telling is so important. Great to meet you here.
Much love and BEST New Year,
Karen
My first biopsy was in 2005 and was a needle inserted from the outside of my abdomen! I told my wife that it felt like I’d been stabbed multiple times. Post transplant they went through my neck and to me it was actually worse than being stabbed. 12 years post and my numbers are still perfect!!
YOU are such a liver failure and success story. That bonus 12 years means a lot to you and your family. I’m with you on that multiple stabbing thing. I have never thrown up from pain, but I sure did on the parking lot of the pharmacy. It makes you wonder about all of those movies where someone gets stabbed but keeps chasing the bad guy. I always think “NO WAY”.
So the one going through the neck was just as bad, huh? I’m dealing with my numbers being slightly higher. I sure don’t want to have a biopsy. I have a new doctor who gets excited when they go up 10 points, so I’m holding off. I DO understand why they keep a close eye on us.
Super happy for your stable numbers. Keep up the good work!!!
xoxo Dear Friend, Karen
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